Google Glass banned in UK cinemas

Google Glass has been banned by cinemas in the UK over concerns about piracy.

Both Vue Cinemas and the Cinema Exhibitors’ Association trade group have outlawed the technology, which launched in Britain earlier this month (June). As Mashable reports, there are fears that the headset could be used to create pirate copies of films.

The ban rules out using Google Glass at 750 cinemas with film fans possibly seeing the following message on screen before a screening: “As a courtesy to your fellow audience members, and to prevent film theft, we ask that customers do not enter any cinema auditorium using any ‘wearable technology’ capable of recording images. Any customer found wearing such technology will be asked to remove it and may be asked to leave the cinema.”

Google has issued a statement defending their product, which can only record film for around 45 minutes before losing battery life. “We recommend any cinemas concerned about Glass to treat the device as they treat similar devices like mobile phones: simply ask wearers to turn it off before the film starts,” said the firm in a statement.

“Broadly speaking, we also think it’s best to have direct and first-hand experience with Glass before creating policies around it. The fact that Glass is worn above the eyes and the screen lights up whenever it’s activated makes it a fairly lousy device for recording things secretly.”